Support collar for elongated cables, tubes or the like

ABSTRACT

A support collar for elongated bodies includes a frame and retaining arms extending from the frame toward the interior the frame. A rib is defined at least partly around the attachment edge of the retaining arms to the frame and along at least a portion of the retaining arms.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a support collar for holding elongatedbodies such as cables or tubes firmly in place. More particularly, thepresent invention relates to a support collar that can hold an elongatedbody with the grip that is independent of the pressure applied byexternal forces on the outer frame of the support collar; that mitigatesthe effects of PIM (Passive Inter-Modulation) in cellular phone towers;and that can produced with a lower height and a simpler structure thansupport collars in the prior art.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Cables and tubes used in the telecommunication and building sectors maybe supported using one or more support collars that are engaged toperforated plates.

Such support collars generally include a relatively elastic structurethat can be splayed to be rapidly fitted onto the cable or tube to besupported.

EP 2464907 discloses a support collar according to the prior art that ismade of a laminar structure and that has a head portion with a centralopening; two side portions extending transversely from the head portion,each having a coupling portion configured to engage the support collaron a support plate or a head portion of another support collar, and aretaining clip that receives an elongated body within an area defined bythe head portion and the two side portions. The retaining clip isderived from the structure of a respective side portion of the collar.

This construction provides for saving on the material used for producingthe support collars, but at the same time the shape and dimensions ofthe arms of the clip are constrained by those of the side portions.

The elasticity of the retaining arms of the clip, together with thepresence of side portions without structural folds, provides for anelastic yield that makes the support collar easily adaptable todifferent geometries and dimensions of cables or tubes.

At the same time, a person of skill in the art will readily recognizethat the collar described in EP 2464907 cannot be adapted to supportcables or tubes having an extremely reduced diameter unless sleeves areused.

The negative impact of PIM on the infrastructure of mobile radionetworks is also known in the art. PIM takes place when differentradiofrequency signals, coming from one to several radio base stations,mix together in a site that houses a cell and generate a signal thatcontains a new set of frequencies.

Undesired signals due to PIM are caused by mechanical non-linearity. Oneof the major causes is the inconsistency of the metal-to-metal contactsin areas affected by high current intensities, such as those inside thetransmission lines or within radiofrequency (RF) components. This may bedue to an imperfect preparation of the RF terminations or non-optimalassembly procedures, loosening of screws or rivets inside the RFcomponents, contaminated or oxidized surfaces of the connectors, or RFconnectors that are not properly tightened.

PIM may degrade the quality of service of new networks considerably, forexample in \ LTE (Long Term Evolution) and HSPA+ (Evolved High SpeedPacket Access) networks. It is of primary importance fortelecommunications operators to reduce the negative effects of PIM inorder to be able to install more advanced network infrastructurescapable of supporting the transmission of broadband data, without asignificant increase in costs and without jeopardizing the performancelevel.

IT 102019000008184 discloses a collar made in a plastic material thatholds a cable or a tube in a stable manner.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An objective of the present invention is to provide a support collar forelongated bodies such as cables or tubes that overcomes theabove-described drawbacks and that facilitates the engagement and gripon an elongated body housed in the support collar.

In particular, an objective of the present invention is to provide asupport collar having an elastically deformable structure that isadapted for supporting cables of different geometries and sections, suchas cables having cross-sections that vary from narrow to wide, and forfacilitating the insertion of the cables into the support collarregardless of their diameter.

In one embodiment, a support collar according to the invention includesa frame having a head portion with an opening therethrough; sideportions that extend downwardly from the head portion; and abutmentportions that extend transversely, for example perpendicularly, from theside portions. The head portion, the plurality of side portions, and theplurality of abutment portions define a housing area within the frame.

The side portions are flexibly connected to the head portion, whichmakes them rotatable in relation to the head portion to approach orspread away from each other. A plurality of coupling portions extenddownwardly from the abutment portions and are configured to engage thesupport collar to a support plate or to a head portion of an additionalsupport collar.

Retaining means are disposed inside the housing area and are configuredto retain the elongated body. The retaining means include a clip havingretaining arms that extend from the frame into the housing area and thatare flexibly connected to the frame to spread for receiving theelongated body within the housing area, and to reapproach for holdingthe elongated body in place within the housing area.

Each of the retaining arms includes a first segment that extends fromthe frame into the housing area and that is substantially V-shaped; asecond segment that extends from the first segment and that defines aconcavity facing a central portion of the housing area, so that opposingsecond segments can define a seat for receiving the elongated body; anda third segment that extends from the second segment away from thecentral portion of the housing area and that is shaped as a winglet ofrectilinear or arched shape for facilitating the entry of the elongatedbody into the seat defined by the opposing second segments. Theretaining arms are connected to the head portion of the support collarby an attachment edge.

A rib extends longitudinally around at least part of the attachment edgeof the first segment to the frame and along at least a portion of theretaining arms. In different embodiments, the rib extends around atleast part of the attachment edge and along at least a portion of thefirst segment, or around at least part of the attachment edge and alonga branch of the V-shape defined by the first segment.

The attachment edges of the retaining arms may be thicker than a portionof the first segment where no rib is present. Alternatively, an edge ofthe frame, from a portion of which the first segment extends, may bethicker than a portion of the first segment where no rib is present.

In one embodiment, the head portion is thicker than the side portionsand/or the abutment portions of the frame of the support collar.Alternatively, a lip may extend from the head portion, in order toprovide an increased contact area between the head portion and thecoupling portions of the additional support collar.

In one embodiment, the side portions of the frame may be planar in shapeand may have windows, each of which is at least as wide as each of theretaining arms. A gap may be defined perpendicularly between a side edgeof each window and a side edge of an adjacent first segment, but in adifferent embodiment, no perpendicular gap may be defined between a sideedge of each window and an adjacent side edge of the first segment.

The branches of the V-shape defined by the first segment of theretaining arms may be spread by no more than 120 degrees, so as toprovide a support collar of reduced height and decrease the wind impacton a support collar or a plurality of stacked collars.

One or more retaining blades may extend from each concavity defined bythe second segment of the retaining arms, in order to increase the gripon an elongated body housed therein.

A support collar according to the invention may be made from a varietyof materials. In one embodiment, the support collar is made from aplastic material, which reduces the PIM effect on the support collar.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The drawings constitute a part of this specification and includeexemplary embodiments of the invention, which may be embodied in variousforms. It is to be understood that in some instances various aspects ofthe invention may be shown exaggerated or enlarged to facilitate anunderstanding of the invention.

FIG. 1 is a front view of an embodiment of a support collar forelongated bodies according to the invention, partly splayed, withcontact elements extending from the retaining arms and flaps extendinginto the housing area.

FIG. 2 is a front view of a support collar according to the inventionfor housing elongated bodies having a larger diameter than in thesupport collar of FIG. 1 .

FIG. 3 is a front view of a support collar according to the inventionfor housing elongated bodies having a larger diameter than in thesupport collars of FIGS. 1 or 2 .

FIG. 4 is a front view of a support collar according to the inventionfor housing elongated bodies having a larger diameter than in thesupport collars of FIG. 1, 2 or 3 , without contact elements protrudingfrom the retaining arms.

FIGS. 5 to 8A are perspective views of a support collar according to theinvention constructed similarly to the collar of FIG. 4 .

FIG. 9 is a front view of two stacked support collars constructedrespectively according to the embodiments of FIGS. 1 and 4 .

FIGS. 9A and 9B are perspective views of the stacked collars of FIG. 9 .

FIG. 10 is a front view of two support collars according to FIG. 9 ,stacked on top of each other and engaged on a support plate.

FIGS. 11A and 11B are perspective view of another embodiment of asupport collar according to the invention having ribs along at leastpart of the retaining arms and no flaps.

FIG. 12 is a front view of two support collars according to FIGS. 11Aand 11B, stacked on top of each other and engaged to a support plate.

FIGS. 13 and 14 are perspective views of a support collar similar to theembodiment depicted in FIGS. 11A and 11B, with the addition of contactelements.

FIGS. 15 to 17H are perspective views of support collars constructedaccording to the principles of the embodiment depicted in FIGS. 11A and11B.

FIG. 18 is a front view of two stacked support collars constructedaccording to the embodiments of FIGS. 11A and 13 , stacked on top ofeach other and engaged to a support plate.

FIG. 19 is a perspective view of a support collar constructed accordingto the principles of the embodiment of FIG. 13 .

FIG. 20 is a perspective view of two stacked support collars constructedaccording to the principles of the embodiments depicted in FIGS. 11A and13 .

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

Detailed descriptions of embodiments of the invention are providedherein. It is to be understood, however, that the present invention maybe embodied in various forms. Therefore, the specific details disclosedherein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but rather as arepresentative basis for teaching one skilled in the art how to employthe present invention in virtually any detailed system, structure, ormanner.

With reference to the figures, a support collar for elongated bodiessuch as cables, tubes or similar elements is referenced as a whole with1.

Support collar 1 may be made of a plastic material, which may bethermoplastic or thermoset, reinforced or not. In other embodiments,however, support collar 1 may be made of different materials, such asmetal.

Preferably, the plastic material is flexible and elastic, and has highmechanical properties.

In one embodiment, support collar 1 includes:

a head portion 2 having a pass-through opening 3;

two side portions 4 extending transversely and, in the presentembodiment, substantially perpendicularly from head portion 2, andending with respective abutment portions 9 positioned to besubstantially parallel to head portion 2 when support collar 1 is inengaged condition;

coupling portions 5 provided for each of abutment portions 9 andconfigured to engage support collar 1 on a support plate 15 or a headportion of another support collar, with side portions 4, abutmentportions 9 and head portion 2 of support collar 1 delimiting a housingarea 6 for a partial housing of a cable or tube C to be supported; and

retaining means within housing area 6 for engaging a cable or tube Cfirmly therein.

The retaining means include a clip 7 having retaining arms 7′, whichextend inside housing area 6.

Retaining arms 7′ of clip 7 are flexibly connected to at least one ofportions 2, 4, 9 of support collar 1 and can be elastically spread toengage cable or tube C, so as to hold it within housing area 6 byapplying a transverse elastic pressure upon a longitudinal developmentof cable or tube C.

Support collar 1 further includes at least one flap 8 that is configuredto cooperate with each of retaining arms 7′ and that extends inwardlyinto housing area 6 from the surface of each abutment portion 9 facinghousing area 6. The at least one flap 8 is positioned opposite toretaining arms 7′, so that the at least one flap 8 is abutted against aretaining arm 7′ when cable or tube C is engaged in clip 7.

Opening 3 has a circular shape in the present embodiment but may haveany shape, for example and without limitation, may be oblong, square, orelliptical.

Furthermore, opening 3, according to an embodiment that is not shown,can be surrounded by a reinforcement collar.

Head portion 2, side portions 4 and abutment portions 9 preferably havea substantially flat development. In other embodiments, however, theymay be curved or include curved portions.

By having coupling portion 5, each abutment portion 9 of support collar1 can be arranged against a corresponding surface of support plate 15 orthe head portion of another support collar.

Side portions 4 extend perpendicularly, or obliquely, or anywaytransversely, with respect to head portion 2 to define an angled,inverted U-shaped open profile.

In one embodiment, each of side portions 4 may have a window 4′ so thatthe side portion defines a frame, giving collar 1, in particular sideportions 4, a degree of lightness and elastic yield along directionstransverse to side portions 4.

The figures, for example in FIG. 10 , show side portions 4, abutmentportions 9 and head portion 2 of support collar 1 delimiting housingarea 6 for a partial housing of an electric cable, a conduit, a tube, abar or similar objects having an elongated shape C.

The figures further show the retaining means, which in the presentembodiment include clip 7, arms 7′, and flaps 8 provided within housingarea 6, in order to keep cable or tube C in a stable position.

As also shown in the figures, retaining arms 7′ may be flexiblyextending from a corresponding attachment edge 2′ of head portion 2 andat least one flap 8 may extend from a surface of opposite abutmentportions 9 that face housing area 6 toward head portion 2.

In particular, each of retaining arms 7′ may cooperate with at least oneflap 8 that extends obliquely from the surface of abutment portions 9facing housing area 6 toward a corresponding side portion 4.

The at least one flap 8 may bend slightly toward a corresponding sideportion 4, when it is abutted or in direct or is indirect contact via acontact element 11 with the corresponding retaining arm 7′, as describedhereunder, when cable or tube C is inserted between retaining arms 7′.

Retaining arms 7′ can be elastically splayed to receive and hold cableor tube C by transversely exerting on cable or tube C, in combinationwith flaps 8, a pressure sufficient for keeping cable or tube C in astable position, whatever the diameter of cable or tube C may be.

By cooperating with the respective flap or flaps 8, retaining arms 7′transversely constrain the cable or tube C to the support collar 1, thusfacilitating the assembly of cables or tubes C by operators.

In an embodiment that is not illustrated, cable or tube C may be held byretaining arms 7′ that extend from respective edges 2″ positioned on theopposite side of the head portion 2, in correspondence with couplingportions 5. Retaining the arms 7′, cooperating with flaps 8, areprovided on head portion 2, laterally with respect to the pass-throughopening 3, and extend inside the housing area 6.

Retaining arms 7′ may also extend inside housing area 6 startingdirectly from side portions 4 or from head portion 2, adjacently toopening 3. In other embodiments, retaining arms 7′ may extend fromdifferent portions of support collar 1 and the at least one flap 8 wouldthen be positioned to abut against ends of retaining arms 7′.

With reference now to retaining means 7, each retaining arm 7′ comprisesa first substantially V-shaped segment 7 a that extends from arespective attachment edge 2′ of support collar 1 toward the center ofhousing area 6.

The advantage of the V-shape of first segment 7 a is that it providesfor space to insert, through opening 3, a coupling portion 5 of anothersupport collar, which can be stacked onto the support collar locatedunderneath it.

A second curved segment 7 b develops from first segment 7 a and has aconcavity directed toward the center of housing area 6, which providesfor a suitable resting surface for the outer surface of cable or tube Cto be supported.

As clearly shown in the figures, particularly FIG. 10 , having theabove-described shape of retaining arms 7′, that is, having secondsegment 7 b depart from the free end of first segment 7 a, with no othersegments extending into housing area 6 toward opening 3, facilitates,for collars 1 adapted for high diameter cables, the insertion of thecoupling portions of a second collar into opening 3, considering thatany interference is prevented between retaining arms 7′ of a supportcollar 1 and coupling portion 5 of a second support collar stacked ontop of first support collar 1.

In known collar embodiments such as those described in IT102019000008184, the third segments of the retaining arms, which developin opposite directions compared to the second elements, may interferewith the coupling portions of the second collar, stacked on top of thefirst support collar, which are inserted into the opening of the firstsupport collar, with the risk of an accidental disengagement of the twocollars, an unstable hold, or even being unable to lock the two supportcollars to each other in case of support collars for large cables.

The present invention provides a solution to these drawbacks of theprior art.

According to the present invention, each retaining arm 7′ includes athird segment 7 c that extends from the free end of second segment 7 b,which is arched and extends in a direction opposite to first segment 7a, each third segment 7 c being shaped as an angled or arched winglettoward a corresponding side portion 4 and/or toward the at least oneflap 8, so as to facilitate the entry of cable or tube C between secondsegments 7 b of retaining arms 7′ of clip 7.

Third segment 7 c may be arched, in the shape of a boat, or straight andangled toward the corresponding side portion 4 of support collar 1.

From second segment 7 b, in the direction of each abutment portion 9,third segment 7 c extends and may be:

shaped as a curved, or folded, element or fin, having free extremitiesthat face side portions 4 and/or the at least one flap 8, or

shaped as a flat and angled element or fin, with free extremities thatface side portions 4 and/or the at least one flap 8,

so as to facilitate the housing and engagement of cable or tube Cbetween second segments 7 b of retaining arms 7′ of clip 7.

As shown in the figures, each third segment 7 c has a free end facingthe respective abutment portion in the direction of edge 2″ that itforms with the corresponding side portion 4.

This pair of third segments 7 c, placed near the entrance of housingarea 6, facilitates the positioning of cable or tube C and creates aneasier path or an entry point into opening I.

Third segments 7 c have sizes that prevent an interference with flaps 8even when the cable or tube C is inserted between two second segments 7b of retaining arms 7′ of clip 7.

The transverse extension, that is, the extension toward side portions 4and/or toward the at least one flap 8, or the width Y of each thirdsegment 7 c is inversely proportional to the size of second segments 7b.

As it can be seen, in particular, in FIGS. 1 to 4 , which depictdifferent dimensions of second segments 7 b for cables C according tocable diameter, the width Y of third segments 7 c is variable,preferably larger in support collars 1 adapted to house cables ofreduced diameters (for example, fiber optic cables). This provides for awider entry point (as third segments 7 c are angled or arched toward theoutside, that is, toward side portions 4) for cables of reduceddiameters.

As shown in FIG. 1 , the absence of third segments 7 c would make itextremely difficult to insert cable C between second segments 7 blocated in housing area 6, because the entry opening in clip 7 would beextremely small compared to the overall size of support collar 1.

On the contrary, as it can be seen in FIG. 4 , in support collars 1adapted to house cables C of large diameter, the width Y of thirdsegments 7 c is reduced, so that, when cable C is inserted into clip 7,any interference between third segments 7 c and flaps 8 is prevented.

To improve the grip of retaining arms 7′, the arched surfaces of secondsegments 7 b facing the center of housing area 6 and intended to comeinto contact with the outer surface of cable or tube C to be supported,may have one or more teeth, dowels, or retaining blades 10 in order toimprove the grip that retaining arms 7′ have on cable or tube C.

As it can be seen from the figures, second segments 7 b may havedifferent sizes and curvatures to adapt to the dimensions of cable ortube C to be supported.

In particular, the second segments 7 b may vary depending on thediameter of cable or tube C. Third segments 7 c can also be of differentsizes, in particular, have a width Y that increases as the sizes ofsegments 7 b decrease, so as to facilitate the insertion of cable ortube C by creating an opening that is easier to access, that is, byincreasing the size of the entry opening between second segments 7 b ofclip 7.

As shown in the figures, second segment 7 b of the arm 7′ of each sideportion 4, in particular, its surface opposite to the surface facinghousing area 6 and, therefore, its surface opposed to the surface incontact with cable or tube C, cooperates with at least one flap 8disposed on each abutment portion 9 and facing housing area 6. The atleast one flap 8 ensures that cable or tube C is stable and safelypositioned between arms 7′ of retaining means 7 when support collar 1 isengaged to support plate 15 or to an additional support collar 1. Whencable or tube C is placed between retaining arms 7′ of retaining means7, retaining arms 7′, being elastically movable, receive cable or tube Cbetween second segments 7 b, and move to rest on the surface of at leastone flaps 8, which, by being also elastically movable, provides anelastic resistance to an additional and undesired spreading of retainingarms 7′ and a stable hold of cable or tube C in housing area 6 ofsupport collar 1. In particular, the outer surface of retaining arms 7′facing side portions 4, at second segment 7 b, enters into contact,directly or indirectly, with the surface of at least one flap 8. Each ofabutment portions 9 may have one or more flaps 8.

Preferably, two flaps 8 may be provided, disposed parallel to eachother, for each abutment portion 9, whereas the second flap 8 of eachabutment portion 9 increases the elastic resistance offered to thespreading of arms 7′ whenever cable or tube C is placed within retainingmeans 7.

As shown in the figures, in order to insure the contact betweenretaining arms 7′, in particular between second segments 7 b and atleast one flap 8, there may be provided, on the outer surface of eachsecond segment 7 b of retaining arms 7′, that is, on the surface ofsecond segments 7 b facing each side portion 4, at least one contactelement 11, shaped as a tooth or similar, so as to ensure a direct orindirect contact between flaps 8 and arms 7′ even when cable or tube Chas a reduced diameter and, therefore, retaining means 7, being also ofreduced dimensions, are located centrally in housing area 6, occupying asmall area within housing area 6 and, therefore, being further spacedfrom flaps 8.

As further shown in the figures, for example in FIGS. 1-3 , contactelement 11 is located on second segment 7 b of each arm 7, above theconnection point between second segment 7 b and third segment 7 c.

In the present embodiment, contact element 11 is located on secondsegment 7 b, between first segment 7 a and third segment 7 c.

In particular. contact element 11 is located on second segment, 7 b,above third segment 7 c.

Preferably, in order to facilitate the contact between contact element11, shaped as a tooth or similar, of each arm 7′, and a respective flap8, contact element 11 is located on second segment 7 b, between firstsegment 7 a and third segment 7 c.

This position of contact elements 11 provides for a higher point ofcontact with flaps 8, that is, at the free section of a flap 8, which isopposite to the extremity fixed to abutment portion 9 and has thehighest degree of flexibility and/or elasticity. Therefore, flaps 8 canbend more easily after inserting cable or tube C, especially when a pairof flaps 8 for each abutment portion 9 is provided, in the area in whichthere is no interference with outermost flaps 8.

Moreover, because contact elements 11 are not present on the freeextremities of second segments 7 b but only on its outer surface, acouple of third segments 7 c may be provided at the free extremities ofsecond segments 7 b, creating a channel that facilitates the insertionof cable or tube C, considering that third segments 7 c are curvedtoward the inside, or straight but angled toward the inside, that is,toward side portions 4 of support collar 1 in order to create anupside-down V-shaped entrance and to facilitate the receiving of cableor tube C, with the aim of “guiding” the cable during insertion into theseat defined within retaining means 7.

These features make it easier to install cables, tubes, or otherelongated elements, especially when inserting the elongated element intoits seat within clip 7.

Therefore, second segments 7 b that receive cable or tube C, beinglinked to the free ends of first segments 7 a, which are substantiallyV-shaped, make the engagement of additional collars safer, avoiding theinterference between arms 7′ of a first support collar 1 and thecoupling portion 5 of a second support collar located above supportcollar 1.

As shown in the figures, the retaining function of cable or tube Cperformed by retaining means 7 is independent and unrelated to thelocking function of support collar 1 to support plate 15 or to anothersupport collar.

Retaining arms 7′ ensure that support collar 1 engages cable or tube Cindependently from the locking of support collar 1 to another supportcollar or to plate 15.

This provides the advantage of making it easier for operators toassemble cables.

Coupling portion 5 of each side portion 4 of support collar 1 extends,outside of housing area 6, from the surface of a respective abutmentportion 9, which in turn extends substantially parallel to head portion2 with a substantially flat development to ensure a stable support forsupport collar 1 on plate 15 or on the head portion of another supportcollar.

Locking element 5 enables the fixing of support collar 1 onto anothersupport collar or onto a plate 15.

Referring to FIGS. 1-4 , each coupling portion 5 comprises a small plate5 a extending transversely, perpendicular to the surface of abutmentportion 9, on the opposite side relative to head portion 2. On thesurface of plate 5 a, a wedge-shaped element 5 b is provided, with arounded profile and an inclined surface 5 c in relation to plate 5 a tofacilitate the introduction of coupling portion 5 into the opening inthe head portion of a second support collar or in an opening in plate15.

Wedge-shaped element 5 b has an abutment surface 5 d, which issubstantially parallel to the surface of abutment portion 9 that becomespositioned on the surface of a second collar, as illustrated in FIG. 9 ,or against the surface of plate 15, as illustrated FIG. 10 .

In a different embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 5-8A, a T-shaped element5 e is provided on the surface of plate 5 a, with a head portion havinga rounded profile and an elongated portion having an inclined surfaceserving the same purpose as the above-described wedge-shaped element 5b, which provides the advantages of further lightening the structure ofsupport collar 1 and generating a reduction in the amount of thematerial required for manufacture.

In different embodiment, coupling portion 5 may have different shapes,for example, may be configured as having two wedge-shaped elementsarranged on the sides of the corresponding plate 5 a.

The present embodiment provides for a support collar for cables andother tubular elements that is inexpensive, light, and easy tomanufacture, and that solves the issue of PIM, thereby facilitating astable and safe insertion and the engagement of cables.

Moreover, due to the elasticity of the material used for manufacturingand to having retaining arms 7′ that cooperate with the one or moreflaps 8, a stable support of cable or tube C is generated, therebyfacilitating the positioning of support collar 1 on the targetstructure.

The above-described structure of the support collar 1 further providesthe manufacturing advantage of producing a part of support collar 1 thatis identical for all cables or tubes C to be engaged, regardless oftheir diameter. That is because the same structure surrounds housingarea 6, namely, head portion 2, side portions 4, abutment portions 9,coupling portions 5, and flaps 8. The only part that is molded withdifferent shapes, depending on the diameter of the cable to besupported, is retaining means 7, which comprise retaining arms 7′ andany contact elements 11 provided on retaining arms 7′ to ensure contactbetween retaining arms 7′ and flaps 8 even when retaining arms 7′ are ofreduced dimensions and are positioned in housing area 6 so spaced fromflaps 8 that a stop contact is prevented even when cable or tube C isinserted.

Contact elements 11 provide a solution to this problem.

When support collar 1 is made from a plastic material, this structurealso makes it possible, during the molding of support collar 1, toproduce flaps 8 arranged within the housing area with the same degree ofinclination, with no need to change orientation depending on thediameter of cable or tube C.

A support collar according to the present invention is extremelyversatile, unlike the support collars disclosed in the prior art, whichare made from a metal sheet and are not usable for all cables,particularly not for small diameter cables without using a sleeve orsimilar device to increase the diameter of the cable, because theretaining arms, generated from metal sheets, are not long enough to wrapthe cable. In a support collar according to the present embodiment,instead, the combination of flaps 8 and retaining arms 7′, and thepotential addition of contact elements 11 and/or teeth, dowels, orretaining blades 10, makes it possible to engage and retain firmlycables of different diameters.

FIGS. 11A and 11B depict another embodiment of a support collar forelongated bodies according to the invention. This embodiment may also beused to support, for example, cables in cellular towers.

The basic components of a support collar 1 constructed according to thepresent embodiment are similar to those of the previously describedembodiments and include a frame 1′ defined by a head portion 2, sideportions 4, and abutments portions 9.

Side portions 4 extend downwardly from head portion 2 and are flexiblyconnected to head portion 2, so as to be rotatable in relation to headportion 2 and to approach or spread away from each other, generating agap 9′ between abutment portions 9 to be closed, opened, narrowed, orwidened as desired.

Each of abutment portions 9 extends transversely from one of sideportions 4, preferably perpendicularly, and carries a coupling portion5, preferably at an end that is opposite to the attachment edge ofcoupling portion 5 with a respective side portion 4.

Coupling portions 5 extend downwardly from abutment portions 9 and areconfigured to engage support collar 1 to an underlying support plate 15,as shown in FIG. 12 , or to enable the stacking of support collar 1 anda second support collar 12, also as shown in FIG. 12 . Coupling portions5 may be configured like the coupling portions in the previouslydescribed embodiments but a person of skill in the art will appreciatethat different configurations of coupling portions may be possible forengaging support collar 1 to a second support collar 12 or to anunderlying support plate 15.

Head portion 2 is preferably plate-shaped in order to facilitate thestacking of a plurality of support collars and may be of differentthicknesses. An opening 3 is defined in head portion 2 and extendsthrough the entire thickness of head portion 2, so as to provide ananchoring point for second support collar 12. In alternativeembodiments, however, head portion 2 may have a different shape, forexample, may be curved or have curved portions.

In one embodiment, head portion 2 has a higher thickness than sideportions 4 and/or abutment portions 9, so that the wall of opening 3 mayengage all or a portion of anchoring seat 5′ defined in coupling portion5. In another embodiment, however, head portion 2 may have the samethickness as, or a lower thickness than, side portions 4 and/or abutmentportions 9, and a lip may extend downwardly from opening 3 to increasethe engagement surface of opening 3 with anchoring seat 5′. Having headportion 2 with an increased thickness provides for a stronger structureof support collar 1 and for a stronger support base when second supportcollar 12 is stacked on support collar 1. In addition, a thicker headportion 2 provides for stronger attachment lines 2″, as discussed ingreater detail later.

While FIGS. 11A and 11B depict a circular opening 3, a person of skillin the art will appreciate that opening 3 may be of different shapes asin the previously described embodiments, for example, may be oblong,square or elliptical.

In the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 11A and 11B, side portions 4 areplanar and have windows 4′ defined therein. Windows 4′ provide a betterview of the housing area 6 defined in the interior of support collar 1and improve the access to housing area 6 by an operator. Further,windows 4′ make support collar 1 lighter and reduce material consumptionwhen support collar 1 is molded from a plastic material. A person ofskill in the art will appreciate, however, that in certain instances itmay be desirable to have smaller or no openings 4′, for example, when anincreased strength of support collar 1 is desired. Therefore, indifferent embodiments of the invention, side portions 4 may have nowindows 4′ defined therein. Sill in different embodiments of theinvention, side portions 4 may have a curvilinear shape, for example, anarched shape or a S-shape, rather than a planar shape.

A retaining clip 7 is provided in the interior of support collar 1 andis formed by a plurality of retaining arms 7′ that extend inwardly intothe interior of support collar 1. In one embodiment, retaining arms 7′extend from an attachment edge 2′ of head portion 2, at the junctionwith a side portion 4. In other embodiments, however, retaining arms 7′may extend from an inner area of head portion 2 or from inner areas ofside portions 4. In still other embodiments, retaining arms may extendfrom abutment portions 9 or from edges thereof. The purpose of retainingarms 7′ is to engage an elongated body 13, such as a cable or a pipe, asshown in FIG. 12 and as will be discussed in greater detail later. Tothat end, retaining arms 7′ are flexibly connected to frame 1′ to spreadfor receiving, and reapproach for engaging, elongated body 13.

In one embodiment, attachment lines 2″ of retaining arms 7′ toattachment edges 2′ are thicker than the surrounding areas (for example,thicker than head portion 2) so as to increase the grip of retainingarms 7′ on elongated body 13. In particular, the thickening ofattachment lines 2″ is configured to cause retaining arms 7′ to berotatable in relation to head portion 2 but rigid in relation to sideportions 4.

In another embodiment, in which head portion 2 is thicker that aremainder of frame 1′, the increased thickness of head portion 2 carriesinto attachment edges 2′, causing a similar effect as having thickerattachment lines 2″.

In still another embodiment, the entire junction line between headportion 2 and side portion 4 is thicker than a remainder of frame 1′.

In one embodiment, ribs 7″ are defined on all or a portion of retainingarms 7′ and on attachment lines 2″ to increase the grip of retainingarms 7′ on elongated body 13 by decreasing the flexibility of retainingarms 7′. It can be seen from FIGS. 11A, 11B and 12 that ribs 7″ mayextend along the first, upper segments 7 a of retaining arms 7′ and wrapover the attachment line 2″ connecting retaining arms 7′ to head portion2. In other embodiments, however, ribs 7″ may extend around attachmentlines 2″ and along all of first segments 7 a or along longer or shorterportions of retaining arms 7′. It should be noted that ribs 7″ may bepresent on support collar 1 regardless of whether the above-describedthickened area are present or not, in particular, regardless of whetherhead portion 2 and attachment lines 2″ are thickened or not.

In one embodiment, windows 4′ defined within side portion 4 are of thesame width or wider than retaining arms 7′, defining gaps 2″′ betweenouter edges of retaining arm 7′ and the adjacent edges of window 4′. Inone embodiment, such gaps 2″′ (measured in a perpendicular direction tothe opposing edges of retaining arms 7′ and window 4′) are as small aspractically possible, in order to maximize the width of retaining arms7′ and increase their strength, further increasing the grip on elongatedbody 13. In other embodiments, however, gaps 2″′ of different widths maybe defined between the edges of retaining arms 7′ and the adjacent edgesof window 4′.

In the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 11A and 11B, retaining arms 7′include three segments: a first, upper segment 7 a, extending fromattachment line 2″; a second, middle segment 7 b; and a third, lowersegment 7 c. By being shaped to have three segments, the construction ofretaining arms 7′ in this embodiment is similar to the constructionillustrated in the embodiments depicted in the preceding figures.

In particular, first segments 7 a of opposing retaining arms 7′ arearranged to face each other in a “V” arrangement. In one embodiment, theopposing first segments 7 a are inclined as much as practically possiblein relation to one another (in other words, the opposing arms of the “V”are as divergent as possible) in order to provide a strong grip even onelongated bodies 13 of small diameter while maintaining a relativelylimited height of side portions 4.

More particularly, having a support collar 1 as low as possible (thatis, with side portions 4 as short as possible) is highly desirable. Alow support collar 1 not only requires less material to produce but,more importantly, a stack of support collars one on top of the other isless sensitive to a force applied laterally to the stack, for example,due to the impact of wind when support collars 1 are used to housecables in telephone towers.

In one embodiment, first segments 7 a have themselves a “V” shapedefined by sub-segments 7 a′ and 7 a″ (see FIG. 11B) so as to furtherincrease the grip of retaining arms 7′ on elongated body 13. Inparticular, sub-segments 7 a′ and 7 a″ may be arranged as a “V” havingits arms spread apart as little as practically possible, especially whensupport collar 1 is configured for holding elongated bodies 13 ofsmaller diameter, so as to increase grip on elongated body 13 and lowerthe overall height of support collar 1. For example, the angle betweenthe arms of the “V” defined by first segments 7 a may be less than 120degrees. In one embodiment, rib 7″ is defined only on upper sub-segment7 a′, as shown in FIG. 12 .

Second segment 7 b has an arched configuration with a concavity facing acentral portion of housing area 6, so that opposing second segments 7 bof opposing retaining arms 7′ define a seat for receiving elongated body13. A person of skill in the art will appreciate that second segments 7b are dimensioned according to the diameter of elongated body 13 to bereceived. In one embodiment (not shown), the arcs defining secondsegments 7 b extend beyond the attachment point to first segment 7 a, soas to increase the contact area with elongated body 13 in an upperportion of housing area 6. Such extensions, however, may not bedesirable because those extensions may interfere with the bottomportions 5″ of coupling portions 5 of a second supports collar 12stacked on top of support collar 1 as shown in FIG. 12 . Moreover, thoseoptional extensions may reduce the ability of using support collar 1 forelongated bodies of different diameters because those extension limitthe grip on an elongated body having a diameter larger than the nominaldiameter of clip 7. Experiments by Applicant have shown that theillustrated configuration of second segments 7 b, without suchextensions, generates both a strong grip on elongated body 13 and anincreased ability to stack a plurality of support collars.

In one embodiment, retaining blades 10 are provided on the inner facesof second segments 7 b to further increase the grip on an elongated body13 such as a cable. Retaining blades 10 may be in different numbers andbe of different shapes, for example, may be triangular with the apexpointing into the space between second segments 7 b (see, e.g., FIGS.13-15 ) or have alternative shapes, as discussed in regard to thepreceding embodiment. Further, different numbers of retaining blades 10may be provided on the inner side of each second segment 7 b, from oneto a number as high as practically possible. For example, FIG. 14depicts an embodiment with three retaining blades 10 on each inner sideof second segments 7 b while FIG. 15 shows an embodiment with tworetaining blades.

Third segments 7 c are shaped as winglets that extend downwardly andoutwardly from second segments 7 b, in directions opposite to those offirst segments 7 a, and facilitate the entry of elongated body 13 intoclip 7 and into the seat defined by opposing second segments 7 b due tothe outward inclination of third segments 7 c. Third segments 7 c mayhave different lengths, shapes and inclinations, for example, may becurvilinear or straight.

FIG. 12 depicts two different embodiments, in which retaining collar 12has third segments 7 c that are curvilinear and extend outwardly whileretaining collar 1 has second segments 7 c that each have a comma-shapedelongation with one curvilinear wall and one straight wall. A person ofskill in the art will appreciate, however, that other shapes andelongations of third segments 7 c are possible. Some examples of thosealternative shapes and elongations were discussed in regard to thepreceding embodiments.

In the above-described embodiments, support collar 1 may be producedfrom different materials. In one embodiment, support collar 1 is made ofa plastic material, so as to reduce PIM, a type of interference in cellphone towers that reduces a cell's receive sensitivity. A few examplesof plastic materials that may be employed were discussed in regard tothe preceding embodiments but a person of skill in the art willappreciate that a wide range of plastic materials, with and withoutreinforcements, may be employed.

Due to the above-described features, a support collar according to theinvention made from plastic achieves a retaining load on an elongatedelement such as a cable that is higher than, or comparable to, plasticretaining collars in the prior art, and also comparable to the retainingload of steel support collars, but without the drawbacks deriving fromPIM and the shape limitations inherent in metal stamping.

Moreover, a support collar according to the invention enables theconstruction of lower stacks of support collars than would be possiblewith the same number of support collars in the prior art, therebyreducing the impact of wind load on the stack and the danger of adetachment of the stack from a support plate.

FIGS. 15-20 depict different embodiments of a support collar accordingto the invention, shaped to receive elongated bodies such as cableshaving different diameters.

In the present description, “substantially” indicates a possibledeviation of ±20%, and “a” means “one or more” unless stated otherwise.

While the invention has been described in connection with theabove-described embodiments, it is not intended to limit the scope ofthe invention to the particular forms set forth, but on the contrary, itis intended to cover such alternatives, modifications, and equivalentsas may be included within the scope of the invention. Further, the scopeof the present invention fully encompasses other embodiments that maybecome obvious to those skilled in the art and the scope of the presentinvention is limited only by the appended claims.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A support collar for an elongated body,comprising: a frame comprising, a head portion having an openingtherethrough, a plurality of side portions extending downwardly from thehead portion, and a plurality of abutment portions each extendingtransversely from one of the side portions, wherein the plurality ofside portions are flexibly connected to the head portion, so as to becapable of approaching or spreading away from each other, and whereinthe head portion, the plurality of side portions, and the plurality ofabutment portions define a housing area; a plurality of couplingportions, each extending downwardly from one of the abutment portions,each of the coupling portion being configured to engage the supportcollar to a support plate or to an additional support collar; andretaining means disposed within the housing area to retain the elongatedbody therein, wherein the retaining means comprise a clip havingretaining arms that extend into the housing area, the retaining armsbeing flexibly connected to the frame to spread for receiving, and toreapproach for engaging, the elongated body within the housing area,each of the retaining arms comprising, a first segment that extends fromthe frame into the housing area and is substantially V-shaped, a secondsegment that extends from the first segment and defines a concavityfacing a central portion of the housing area, opposing concavitiesdefining a seat configured to receive the elongated body, and a thirdsegment that extends from the second segment outwardly toward the frame,each third segment being configured as a winglet that is rectilinear orarched to facilitate entry of the elongated body into the seat definedby the opposing second segments, wherein a rib extends longitudinallyaround at least part of an attachment edge of the first segment to theframe and along at least a portion of the each of the retaining arms. 2.The support collar according to claim 1, wherein the at least a portionof the each of the retaining arms is at least a portion of the firstsegment of the each of the retaining arms.
 3. The support collaraccording to claim 2, wherein the at least a portion of the firstsegment is a branch of the V-shape defined by the first segment of theeach of the retaining arms.
 4. The support collar according to claim 1,wherein the retaining arms are connected to the head portion by theattachment edge.
 5. The support collar according to claim 1, wherein theattachment edge is thicker than a portion of the first segment where norib is present.
 6. The support collar according to claim 1, wherein anedge of the frame, along a portion of which the first segment extends,is thicker than a portion of the first segment where no rib is present.7. The support collar according to claim 1, wherein the head portion isthicker than the side portions and/or the abutment portions.
 8. Thesupport collar according to claim 1, further comprising a lip extendingfrom the head portion, the lip providing an increased contact areabetween the head portion and coupling portions of the additional supportcollar.
 9. The support collar according to claim 1, wherein the sideportions have windows defined therein, each windows being at least aswide as each of the retaining arms.
 10. The support collar according toclaim 9, wherein a perpendicular gap is defined perpendicularly betweena side edge of each window and a side edge of an adjacent first segment.11. The support collar according to claim 9, wherein no gap is definedperpendicularly between a side edge of each window and a side edge of anadjacent first segment.
 12. The support collar according to claim 1,wherein the side portions have a planar shape.
 13. The support collaraccording to claim 1, wherein branches of the V-shape defined by thefirst segment are spread by no more than 120 degrees.
 14. The supportcollar according to claim 1, further comprising one or more retainingblades extending from each concavity toward the central portion of thehousing area.
 15. The support collar according to claim 1, wherein thesupport collar is made from a plastic material.